Deal reached in Loggers Lane theft case in Steamboat

More gets 240 hours community service

Steamboat Springs  After the deals and wrangling were done, Kati More, the Steamboat Springs woman accused of stealing then returning more than $60,000, will serve 240 hours of community service and pay nearly $1,700 in costs and fines.

More, who admitted to taking the money from the Loggers Lane Owners Association when the theft was discovered, pleaded guilty to a felony computer crime and a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge.

The computer crime charge will have a two-year deferred sentence, meaning it can be dismissed after two years if More follows all the stipulations of the deal.

The District Attorney’s Office dismissed a charge of theft of $20,000 or more and another computer crime charge as part of the plea deal.

The deal initially called for 48 hours of community service, but District Judge Michael O’Hara wanted a harsher penalty, Deputy District Attorney Rusty Prindle said.

Prindle talked with More and her attorney, Larry Combs, and suggested an increase to 240 hours. O’Hara accepted the plea Oct. 29.

“It was increased as a punitive measure,” Prindle said.

More, reached at her business, Artistic Edge, declined to comment for this story.

Prindle said the victims in the case weren’t calling for jail time so he decided the additional community service was the best way to increase the punishment in the case.

Prindle said the charge of disorderly conduct was added so More would plead guilty without a deferred judgment to at least one charge, a tactical move to make sure the case can’t be sealed if More completes the two year deferred judgment.

As part of the plea offer, More also will continue seeing a psychotherapist and go through evaluations for her probation.

Prindle said there is no outstanding compensation he is aware of, but he is keeping the option open for 90 days as statute allows. More reportedly paid back all the money she took from the organization with interest.

More was arraigned in Au­­gust, but the case was delayed while computer experts looked at her computer at the request of Routt County Sheriff’s Office investigators. Prindle said he talked with investigator Mike Curzon and the two chose to go ahead without the final computer evaluation because they did not expect new charges to arise from the evaluation.